The national leadership of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) has unveiled a series of 23 initiatives for September under the slogan "From the Neighborhood with Fidel." This celebration once again places the late dictator Fidel Castro (1926-2026) at the heart of the organization.
The state-run newspaper Trabajadores reported on Wednesday that the press conference was led by the national coordinator of the organization, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, and the deputy coordinator, Yosveny Verdeal Castellanos. They outlined the agenda leading up to September 28, marking the 66th anniversary of the CDR.
Adapting While Holding on to the Past
The chosen slogan directly ties the celebration to Castro's centennial, reinforcing his role as a political icon for an organization attempting to refresh its image without abandoning its foundational symbols.
Hernández acknowledged that the CDR cannot continue operating as it did decades ago. He framed this as a need for adaptation rather than a fundamental overhaul. “Times change,” he stated, emphasizing that the organization must engage actively with neighborhood issues and community challenges.
Engaging the Youth and Community
According to the CDR leadership, renewal also involves attracting new leaders. Verdeal highlighted the importance of increasing youth participation, encapsulating the challenge with a message to younger generations: "We want many more young individuals to say: I want to be the president of my CDR."
The planned activities include voluntary blood donations, with over 9,579 units collected so far, and the "Cultivate Your Plot" movement, which involves more than 607,000 yards and plots dedicated to food production.
Recycling festivals under the banner "My Neighborhood Recycles" and a Revolutionary Popular Vigilance exercise scheduled for September 17 are also part of the program. This latter activity serves as a reminder that despite the rhetoric of adaptation, revolutionary vigilance remains a key function the CDR proudly upholds.
Balancing Community and Politics
Founded by Castro in 1960, the CDR continues to blend community tasks with political functions, presenting itself as a solution to everyday neighborhood problems.
Havana will host its provincial event on September 26 in the La Güinera Popular Council, in Arroyo Naranjo. Meanwhile, Matanzas will hold the national event on the 28th after earning the status of National Vanguard.
Sixty-six years since its inception, the CDR's strategy appears to be about altering how it engages with communities without changing the political reference point that remains central to its identity.
The organization seeks new youth, innovative forms of participation, and greater community presence, but it does so under a slogan that makes it clear that renewal has its limits: staying "with Fidel."
Struggles with Aging Membership
In April 2025, during its IV National Plenum, the CDR acknowledged a shortage of cadres due to the aging membership and the lack of interest among young people. Efforts to revitalize have yet to yield lasting results.
In March, authorities launched the "My Neighborhood for the Homeland" movement, approved by the Council of State and formally introduced in May at the National Capitol. Analysts and independent media describe it as a reinforced CDR with a new name, designed to regain community control where traditional structures have waned.
This initiative has already faced rejection from many Cubans. When the Havana government promoted it in August, the official publication received a flood of criticism. "Slogans don't feed us, don't provide the vital water for life, don't light the endless nights for our children and elderly," wrote one user, capturing the public's sentiment toward the regime's new campaigns.
Understanding the CDR's Role in Cuba
What are the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR)?
The CDRs are neighborhood organizations in Cuba established in 1960 by Fidel Castro to promote social and political control within communities. They engage in various activities, including political surveillance, community service, and social events.
How are the CDRs attempting to modernize?
The CDRs are focusing on adapting their operations to current times by engaging more with community problems, involving youth, and maintaining traditional functions like revolutionary vigilance. They are also launching new initiatives such as recycling festivals and food production projects.